Considering getting a membership to Costco? You likely have questions that you want answered before you shell out the annual fee to get a card. Is it worth it? Will you like it? What does Costco have?

Get these questions and more answered to help you make your decision. You might just find that becoming a Costco member comes with plenty of perks and savings on items that you buy. Even one-time purchases, like appliances or furniture, can be found for a great deal and might just make the membership worth it. And did we mention the tasty $1.50 hot dogs at the food court? Yum!

What is it like to shop at Costco?

When you walk through the doors of the warehouse, this is what you can expect.

• Showing your membership card - At the entrance, you’ll need to show or scan your membership card to get into Costco. Each card is associated with a specific member, verified with a photo, so each person within your household will need to get their own card. You can keep track of your actual card or use the phone app to show your credentials. For membership issues or to get a new card, just stop by customer service.

• Bulk purchases - When you go into the store, don’t expect to see small packages and offerings. Costco is a wholesale-style retailer and sells items in large quantities. Be ready to store a large package or container, even when you’re buying produce, frozen foods, or prepared items from the deli. Fortunately, this can be a great way to take advantage of discount pricing, especially on Kirkland Signature store-brand products.

• Getting samples - Some of the most fun aspects of shopping at Costco are the free samples. You can try things that you’ll find on the shelves to see if you’ll like it. Keep in mind that the people offering samples at Costco work for an independent company and won’t necessarily know the answer to other Costco-related questions. But they’re generally friendly and like to provide serving suggestions. If you’re hungry while running errands, a quick trip by Costco might be just the thing. Just be ready to end up with some of the tasty offerings in your cart!

Can you purchase items at Costco without a membership? 

You’ll need a membership to buy goods at Costco.

• Membership options - To purchase things at Costco, you’ll need to have a membership. This card is good for one year and has a few different options and perks. A Gold Star membership comes with an annual fee of $65 and gets you into the store to make purchases. The Executive membership is $130 per year but earns 2% cash back on all Costco purchases. You’ll get this reward as a Costco store credit, which you can put toward the cost of membership renewal.

• Perks of Costco membership - In addition to the great deals in the warehouse, you can also get savings on everything from cars to vacations. Costco has a full pharmacy, optical care, and car maintenance center. You’ll need to be a member to take advantage of everything in the store. You can share a membership, but everyone on the account has to live in the same household. The only exception is if you’re part of a business membership, but you have to provide business formation documentation.

Why does Costco mark receipts at the exit?

When you leave the store, you’ll need to show your receipt to a team member.

• Checking for all items - A Costco team member will ask to see your receipt when you’re on your way out of the store. They count the items in your cart and compare it to the number of items on your receipt. This helps reduce shoplifting, but it’s also to make sure that the cashier processed your purchase correctly. To maintain the right amount of inventory, Costco needs to know what is going in and out of the store each day. This informs future partnerships, as well as restocking of popular products.

What do customers think about shopping at Costco?

Find out what real customers have to say about the warehouse store.

• Savings on basics - Many members use Costco for great savings on household items like paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. You can stock up a few times per year or go more routinely for your weekly shopping. Executive members are also generally happy with the extra perks that come with this higher membership tier. They specifically call out the 2% cash back, which can add up if you’re making large purchases from Costco.

• Big purchases - You might be surprised to find how many specialty items are purchased from Costco. Many members go to the wholesale store to price out tvs, computers, refrigerators, and even furniture. You can see things in the store before deciding to purchase and get tech support to set up certain items. Special promotions, such as patio furniture during the summer and gym equipment at the start of the new year, coincide with things that customers might be looking for in that season.

• Great for large families -  Members with large families tend to be happier with their membership than those who are shopping for smaller households. One of the challenges with shopping at Costco is that everything comes in bulk, so make sure that you’re actually going to use large packages before you shell out the money. Single people recommend sharing the membership between two or three friends, splitting up the cost once you get everything home. One person will have to pay for things at the store, however, since only the card-carrying member is allowed to make purchases.

Ready to jump on the Costco bandwagon? With many happy members who enjoy savings on everyday items as well as special selections, Costco is the place to shop if you want to get fantastic deals on bulk purchases.